Nordic Storm edge Hamburg Sea Devils to remain undefeated

The Nordic Storm (6-0) survived a fierce challenge from the Hamburg Sea Devils (2-6) in a 27-21 European League of Football thriller, maintaining their perfect season despite a gritty performance from the home team. A late defensive stand sealed the narrow victory in a game defined by momentum swings and key injuries.

Nordic Storm’s early command
The Nordic Storm opened strong, building a 14-0 lead in the first quarter behind quarterback Jadrian Clark’s precision passing. Clark, operating without star running back Glen Toonga (Achilles injury), connected with receiver Brendan Beaulieu for two early touchdowns. Hamburg struggled to contain the visitors’ aerial attack, with Clark finishing 21-of-31 for 296 yards and four touchdowns.

Hamburg’s resilient response
The Sea Devils clawed back in the second quarter as homegrown running back Lucas Harting Candido powered in a touchdown, cutting the deficit to 14-7. The momentum came at a cost: Candido suffered a severe leg injury on the play and exited on crutches. Hamburg missed a chance to narrow the gap further before halftime when punter Jakob Stork shanked a field goal attempt. Despite trailing 14-7, the Sea Devils matched Nordic Storm’s first-half yardage (190 to 191), with quarterback Micah Leon distributing 221 passing yards across multiple targets.

Defensive stalemate and final drama
A scoreless third quarter highlighted tightening defenses, but the fourth quarter erupted with four combined touchdowns. The Storm extended their lead to 21-7 early in the frame, only for Hamburg’s Chrisman Kyei (21 carries, 100 yards) to answer with a rushing touchdown. Beaulieu’s third touchdown catch put the Storm up 27-14 with 1:46 remaining, but Hamburg retaliated swiftly with a 59-second scoring drive. The Sea Devils’ onside kick attempt failed, allowing Nordic to kneel out the clock.

Key performances and implications
Brendan Beaulieu’s 10-catch, 175-yard, three-touchdown night anchored the Nordic Storm’s offense, while Hamburg’s defense held Clark to his lowest scoring output of 2025. The Sea Devils’ nine penalties and red-zone miscues proved costly, but their 363 total yards showcased offensive growth. The Nordic Storm remain the ELF’s lone unbeaten team, though vulnerabilities emerged without Toonga’s ground game. Hamburg’s 2-6 record belies their competitive spirit, with Leon’s consistency (22-of-30 passing) offering hope for late-season upsets. Both teams face critical tests in Week 7 as playoff races intensify.